TALKING APPLE BLOSSOMS 



RUTH BARRETT was only six years old when 

 her mother took her one afternoon to a meet- 

 ing 1 of the Loyal Temperance Legion. On the 

 way Mrs. Barrett could hardly keep up with 

 her little girl, she tripped along so fast. Her 

 large straw hat fell back over her shoulders, 

 showing a bonnie smiling face, bright eyes and 

 dark, smooth hair. 



"O mother," she said excitedly "do you think 

 I can say it all ? Won't it be a surprisement 

 to Freddie? I know he never heard you teach 

 me, for he was always in the shed chopping 

 wood." 



The leader welcomed Ruth and placed her in 

 the front row. Brother Fred, fourteen year- 

 old, who sat with great dignity in the presi- 

 dent's chair, was surprised indeed to see his 

 little sister. After the devotional exercises, he 

 said in a loud, clear voice : 



"The L. T. L. may stand, repeat the pledge, 

 motto, and rallying cry, and give the salute." 



105 



